Kudakwashe Kutamahufa
GWERU City Council is committed to providing quality care and support to diabetic patients.
Speaking during World Diabetes Day commemorations at the Gweru Civic Centre, Mayor Martin Chivhoko said GCC was proud to join global communities to raise awareness on diabetes, a condition that affects millions worldwide.
“Council is committed to providing accessible and affordable health care services to all residents and have implemented initiatives to promote healthy lifestyle, regular screening and early detection of diabetes,” he said.
The Mayor said council’s health care workers are trained to provide quality care and support to those with diabetes.
“Council is offering free diabetes screening at all city council clinics to encourage early detection and treatment,” he said.
The local authority’s health care workers conduct regular education programmes to empower residents with knowledge on diabetes management and prevention.
“We promote healthy lifestyles through initiatives such as eating programmes and cycling,” he said.
Council, he said is proud to partner with local organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations and international partners to strengthen a response to diabetes.
“As we move forward, let’s focus on increasing access to essential medicines including insulin and empowering our primary health workers and nurses,” he said.
“Let’s work together to create a supportive environment that encourages health choices and promote diabetes awareness,” he said.
Gweru district development coordinator Tarisai Mudadigwa said 537 million people are living with diabetes worldwide.
“It is projected that by 2045, 700 million people will have the disease,” he said.
Mudadigwa said according to the World Bank 2021, the prevalence of diabetes in Zimbabwe stood at 2,1 percent for the 20 to 79 years age group and the World Health Ranking 2020 latest data published showed that diabetes death in Zimbabwe reached 3 344 and is now the sixth leading death in Zimbabwe.
He said non-communicable diseases derail the country’s progress towards attaining 2030 Sustsainable Development Goals especially SDG 3 aimed at reducing non-communicable deaths by a third by 2030.
Mudadigwa said World Diabetes Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness on diabetes.
He said it was critical to improve early diagnosis and the management of diabetes.
The minister said diabetes is a major cause of kidney failure, blindness and heart attack.
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